BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO — The gold-accented Nikes that Jakobi Gillespie wore on Saturday weren't selected by accident. Gillespie, the standout Mr. Basketball winning guard from Greeneville High School, had one thing on his … [Read more...]
Bearden’s game plan to top Lebanon works, 62-44, to send Bulldogs to 4A championship
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO — Just a week after the Bearden High School girls' played for and won a Class 4A state championship, the boys will try to match the feat. And the Bulldogs have toppled two midstate giants to reach this … [Read more...]
Fulton Falcons get late look at win but fall to Jackson South Side, 51-50, in the 3A semifinals
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO — The 25-foot shot from the left wing left lefty Denaj Kimber's hand with a second left and looked destined to send the Fulton boys' basketball team to the state final. Kimber, who'd seen three of his 3s fall in … [Read more...]
Greeneville advances to second consecutive state title game with 59-55 semifinal win over Stone Memorial
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO - All postseason long, one blowout win after another, with no variation to the pattern. For Greeneville boys' basketball coach Brad Woolsey, he'd prefer it that way. That means his team is executing. And that's … [Read more...]
5STAR PHOTOS: Bearden Bulldogs vs. Cane Ridge – 2022 Class 4A State Quarterfinals
MURFREESBORO - Below you'll find a photo gallery from the Bearden boys' basketball team's Class 4A state quarterfinal against Cane Ridge and McDonald's All-American Brandon Miller from Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at MTSU's Murphy Center. All photos … [Read more...]
Bearden Bulldogs hold on late against Cane Ridge and McDonald’s All-American Brandon Miller
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO — The Murphy Center at MTSU was abuzz Wednesday afternoon over Cane Ridge's McDonald's All-American forward Brandon Miller. The 6-foot-9 senior even graced the floor in McDonald's custom-themed Nike … [Read more...]
Jackson South Side ends Clinton’s state tournament stay, 52-48, in quarterfinal round
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO - The heart-felt ovation that members of the Clinton High School boys basketball team received from their fan base late Wednesday morning inside MTSU's Murphy Center was both merited and warranted. Not only had the … [Read more...]
Youth-laden Fulton Falcons play like veterans in 78-57 win over Fayette-Ware
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO - Roughly two years ago, Tyler Lee, Denaj Kimber and Taj Kimber had the middle-school basketball ranks abuzz during an undefeated regular season at Whittle Springs. The then-eighth-graders also had the Fulton High … [Read more...]
Defending-champ Greeneville wins 2022 state tourney opener, 71-37, over Jackson North Side
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO - No matter how emphatic the "de-fense" chants that emanated from Jackson North Side's bench were Tuesday afternoon, no amount of encouragement was going to stop Jakobi Gillespie. After going for 18 in the first … [Read more...]
2022 Mr. & Miss Basketball Award Winners announced by TSSAA (with photo gallery)
BY JESSE SMITHEY MURFREESBORO - Jakobi Gillespie and Jennifer Sullivan have helped their respective high school basketball programs achieve historic firsts during their careers. And both added to the fact on Monday. Gillespie, a senior guard … [Read more...]